………………………………………………………………………… Dear Sunderland have been rubbishing the weekend talk of Steve Bruce’s job being on the line with Martin O’Neill …
Now if only it could be Sunderland’s play taking Paris by storm. That for all their Qatari gold, we’d gone to the Parc des Princes and walloped Paris Saint-German 3-0 to proceed still further in the Champions’ League.
There’s the fantasy. Here’s the reality, or Sunderland as presented on the Parisian stage.
NB: A tweet by the author, coinciding with World Alzheimer’s Month, has brought this poignant and outstandingly written article a deserved new burst of interest, causing Salut! Sunderland to promote it back to the front page of the site nearly a year after it first appeared. It will stay prominently displayed for the rest of September …
I am proud to say that permission has been received for the reproduction of this quite exceptional and moving account by Jonathan Wilson*, the Sunderland-supporting Guardian sportswriter, of memories of his dad, and an exchange as death approached, that summed up the passion handed down through generations …
Last year, after my dad had died, I stayed holding his hand for about quarter of an hour and then left the nurses to it. In the hospital waiting room I made three calls. The first was to Sunderland Civic Centre to register the death. The second was to the undertakers. And the third was to The Independent to tell them that I was, after all, free to cover Sunderland v Burnley the next day.
I know a lot of people found that odd. To be honest, looking back, it seems odd to me. At the time, though, it seemed perfectly natural.
With unforgivable lack of loyalty, my younger daughter supports Liverpool. She was born in Bristol, but that’s no excuse.
Even less loyally, she bought my wife as part of a birthday present a copy of the book How To Wean a Man Off Football, by Ronni Ancona and Alistair McGowan. What is she trying to do to my life?
We’ve all reacted differently to events swirling round SAFC in recent times. Pete Sixsmith couldn’t resist curling himself up in a ball to hide away and contemplate, though he did emerge to watch Gateshead fans getting disproportionately cross about not winning every game …
If you were expecting a report on last night’s 3-1 win over Wigan Athletic at Hetton, read no further. I decided against it and went to watch Gateshead’s top of the table Conference clash with Wrexham. The ‘Heed lost 4-1, of which more later.
There was another reason for where I spent my evening, and it goes far deeper than just choosing fixtures. Those who know me well are probably aware that when bad things happen, I tend to turn away from it.
The mischief makers are at work already. Jeremy Robson naturally found ways of interpreting the Niall Quinn announcement in a quite different way than presented by SAFC …
There has been a widespread discussion following the news that Niall Quinn has stepped down as Sunderland chairman to pursue other duties. Much of this debate is about the truth in the statement. But in reality, can a man in Ellis Short’s position actually afford to tell the whole truth?
The swirl of events at the Stadium of Light came to light after this item was prepared. In some ways, it is a response to Jeremy Robson’s merciless attack on Steve Bruce published yesterday, except that it was mostly written before that. Some of the thoughts may be rendered out of date by further developments concerning the club, but for the sake of completeness – and because M Salut is off on some minor travels culminating in Niall’s old stamping ground of Sedgefield at the weekend – here is a piece that is not intended to outrage the Bruce Out camp but will do so in any case …
A friend who supports Chelsea recently asked here whether Steve Bruce really wrote to Salut! Sunderland after each match.
The reply was Yes, but only in the sense that I receive the same e-mail that is sent to all other season card holders on the manager’s behalf. I am sure a press officer writes the words down, but they do fairly reflect what he says on TV so we can take them as his genuine thoughts, and it is good to have them here.
The words will flow thick and fast about Niall Quinn and his departure from role of chairman of Sunderland AFC. No one beyond his immediate circle can really know what to make of the new role “spearheading international development”, though there are theories aplenty on that, too. But nor should anyone forget all Niall has done for SAFC. Here is one tribute, with sharp injections of realism, from Eric Sweeney …
Niall Quinn is a Sunderland legend. As a player he formed one half of the most potent strikeforce we ever had. A gentleman on and off the field he will be remembered for his love and affection for the Sunderland faithful and more recently his commitment to the club in spearheading much needed investment and leadership.
Niall steps down as chairman, Ellis Short takes over. Quinn becomes head of international development. Apologies for a rushed post but it is important news – already mentioned in comments – and needs to be passed on properly. Make of this, from safc.com, what you will:
Sunderland AFC has announced that Niall Quinn is to spearhead international development on behalf of the club.
This new remit means that Quinn will relinquish his day-to-day chairman’s duties as he focuses on developing Sunderland’s profile and business interests overseas. To allow Niall sufficient time to devote to the challenge, owner Ellis Short has agreed to take up the reins as chairman.
Speaking about the changes, Niall said: “This is a great opportunity for us to make the club stronger and I’m delighted that Ellis has agreed to support the plan.
“He’ll be a fantastic Chairman and taking this role on speaks volumes about his ambition for the club.”
Birflatt Boy pulls no punches in a unforgiving verdict on Steve Bruce. To some, it will appear excessively harsh and even unfair; tomorrow you will find a contrary argument here. Take your pick …
In today’s Sunderland Echo, it is reported that Steve Bruce confesses to being bewildered at the early-season pressure he finds himself and his players under, especially considering the club is in lower mid-table rather than in the relegation zone.
He is quoted as saying: “There’s a huge, big expectation here – an expectation that you would expect from a Champions’ League side.”
All this comes in the wake of sporadic shouts of “Bruce out” when Sunderland shipped two early goals against West Brom on Saturday. “I don’t know where it comes from – probably the size of the crowd and the passion of the place itself,” he said.
Images: V Tonelli